• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Michael Schumacher hard drive containing 'intimate' photos and medical files 'missing' amid alleged leak threat

Home> F1

Updated 11:55 11 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 11:54 11 Dec 2024 GMT

Michael Schumacher hard drive containing 'intimate' photos and medical files 'missing' amid alleged leak threat

Three suspects are on trial in Germany over an alleged blackmail plot against the seven-time F1 champion.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

A hard drive containing 'intimate' photos and medical files relating to Michael Schumacher is missing, a German court has been told.

A former member of Schumacher's security team, along with two other suspects, is on trial in the German city of Wuppertal accused of a £12 million blackmail plot against the Formula 1 legend.

German prosecutors allege, as per BILD, that a man addressed as Markus F, stole 1,500 photographs and 200 videos of the seven-time world champion, and that he used his 'trusted role within the family's security team' to access the media after he discovered he was being fired earlier in 2024.

It is alleged that Markus prepared a plan, along with the two others addressed as 'Yilmaz T' and 'Daniel L', to threaten to release the media on to the dark web if a ransom fee was not paid.

Advert

Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2012 season (Image: Getty)
Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2012 season (Image: Getty)

Prosecutors claim that he could face a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years if found guilty, though that punishment could be reduced as the threat was not followed through.

They allege that the family were alerted to the stolen material by Yilmaz T on June 3. Ransom demands allegedly followed in a separate email eight days later.

Three arrests were made on June 19 after Swiss authorities traced the caller's number.

Advert

It is alleged that the stolen material in question was transferred to two hard drives and four USB sticks.

Yilmaz T is said to have told police that he stored the material at the homes of family and friends.

Police have recovered all four USB sticks and one of the hard drives - meaning one is still unaccounted for.

Schumacher suffered a serious head injury following a skiing accident in December 2013 and has not been seen in public since.

Advert

Michael Schumacher pictured in his role as Ferrari advisor in 2009 (Image: Getty)
Michael Schumacher pictured in his role as Ferrari advisor in 2009 (Image: Getty)

He was placed in a medically-induced coma for six months until June 2014, and has since been recovering at home with his family.

Very few people have access to the Ferrari legend, who won 91 F1 races between 1993 and 2006, with his family fiercely protecting his privacy since the accident.

In October, BILD reported that Schumacher was 'very likely' present at the wedding of his daughter Gina in Majorca.

Advert

It is claimed that guests were told to hand over mobile phones to the property's security to ensure that no images could be taken and then potentially leaked to the press. Schumacher hasn't been pictured since his accident, which occurred in the French Alps.

According to the same outlet, Schumacher's wife Corinna has filed a motion to 'exclude the public from the trial' if his current health state is brought up in order to protect his privacy.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Michael Schumacher, Formula 1

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
a day ago
  • 14 hours ago

    Christian Horner has made his feelings clear on Lewis Hamilton amid Ferrari links

    Christian Horner has been linked with a move to Ferrari.

    F1
  • 14 hours ago

    Bombshell Lewis Hamilton report drops on what will happen if Christian Horner joins Ferrari after Red Bull exit

    An F1 insider has explained exactly what could happen if the former rivals reunited at Ferrari.

    F1
  • a day ago

    Max Verstappen's family member drops huge bombshell to leave podcast host stunned after Christian Horner sacking

    Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull Racing this week.

    F1
  • a day ago

    Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear on Christian Horner at Ferrari as rumours heat up after Red Bull sacking

    Horner was relieved of his duties as team principal and CEO of Red Bull following Sunday’s British grand prix

    F1
  • Michael Schumacher given ban and point deduction after shocking act during British Grand Prix at Silverstone
  • Michael Schumacher 'intimate medical images' threatened to be leaked in alleged plot by member of inner circle
  • Michael Schumacher's wife makes 'major decision' amid threat of 'intimate' photos of F1 legend being released
  • Michael Schumacher medical record theft suspect was found dead in police cell hours before meeting with judge